SOUTHMAPTON City Council has condemned plans by Government to pull funding from the 101 number non-emergency number.

The council believes the 101 number has been a "significant benefit" to residents of Southampton and has called on the Home Office to "reconsider urgently" its decision on future funding of the service.

Funding for the alternative phone number to Hampshire police is being pulled in March despite receiving more than 330,000 calls since it was launched across the county and the Isle of Wight in May 2006.

It was set up with about £5m of taxpayers' money as an alternative to 999 to deal with problems such as vandalism, graffiti, abandoned vehicles, noisy neighbours, rubbish and antisocial behaviour.

City councillors signed up to a motion from Liberal Democrat Councillor Liz Mizon.

Test Valley Borough Council has already called on the Home Office to rethink its decision.

Other 101 services in South Wales, Northumbria, South Yorkshire and Leicester and Rutland have also had their funding cut.